Buttery, caramel coated popcorn, pretzels and pecans and a heavy hand with the sea salt make for the best damn cracker jack you ever had. It’s super crunchy, and the pecans and caramel lend an almost-pecan-pie flavour to the situation. The pretzels just make everything better. Hipster Homemade Cracker Jack!
Cracker Jack is not something that exists in Australia outside of novelty USA Foods stores (and frankly, I’ve never really seen it there either), but we all know it from that super annoying song about baseball. Or I should say, from that one line from that song, because I don’t know any other lines. Also, maybe other people don’t know that song. I’ve gotten off track. The point is, cracker jack; we don’t got it.
So if the cracker jack reference doesn’t do it for you, consider this a pimped out popcorn. Even a pimped out pecan pie popcorn, if you love alliteration as much as I do. This is the most perfectly munchable, absolutely nutritionally void snack that long rainy afternoons and movie marathons call for. It’s also great for picnics, long walks, anytime when you feel that circumstance or effort allows for a crunchy, munchable stash of goodness hidden on your person.
Can I just say, my office is a mess at the moment. When I say office, I mean, the room with my desk in it. This room is also home to all my props, and laziness has led to prop-creep on my desktop. You know, prop-creep? When you do all the dishes after a day of recipe testing or shooting, and then you’re too lazy to put everything back where it belongs? Yeah, you get it. Prop-creep. Anyway, as usual I find myself in need of a sudden burst of cleaning energy.
That’s my cycle. I slob out for weeks on end, then I go on a major cleaning run, and get everything looking even better than it did at the start. I throw things out, I sort and organise, I give away to charity. And then for a week and a half, things look great! And then…prop-creep. Or clothing-creep onto the chair next to my chest of drawers. Or ingredient-creep out of the cupboard and onto the bench. I have a problem. And now I have a solution. A handy jar of high-energy Homemade Hipster cracker jack!
What do you mean that’s not a solution? *throws handful of cracker jack at you* This is the system that I have and it works for me! I’ve even dragged my once-neat boyfriend down to my level. This is all odd because I’m a virgo, and therefore am supposed to be incredibly anal-retentive. But I definitely am not! If anyone knows star signs, my birthday is 18th Sept, 1990, and I’d love to get the low down on that shizz.
Anyway, enjoy your cracker jack, hipster homies! And let me know if you’re as terrible a person as I am, re: cleaning!
xx Sarah.
- 1 tbsp high smoke oil (I used canola)
- ¼ cup popcorn kernels
- (or 4 cups plain popped popcorn)
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 1 cup pecans
- ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar
- 3 tbsp golden syrup
- ½ stick (50g) butter
- sea salt
- Place the oil into a large covered frying pan or saute pan. Heat until just warm and then add the popcorn, place a lid on the pan, and leave, shaking occasionally until all the kernels are popped.
- Preheat the oven to 160C/325F and line a baking sheet with baking paper.
- Place the popcorn into a large mixing bowl, add the pretzels and pecans and toss the together.
- Place the brown sugar, golden syrup and butter into a small saucepan and place over a low heat. Stir until everything is melted and mixture just begins to bubble.
- Pour the sugar mixture over the popcorn mixture, and then carefully mix until everything is coated in the caramel.
- Spread the mixture over the baking tray, and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until slightly darker in colour. Sprinkle over a fat pinch of sea salt (a scant teaspoon or as much as you like) Leave to cool completely on the baking sheet, break up into pieces and serve.
Omg, YESSSSS! The real Cracker Jacks never even thought about being this good!!!
YEAH! In your face cracker jack!
I was just about to look for a recipe for caramel corn. You just made my afternoon easy- no need to look any further, thanks!
Dude, everytime I see your email address I laugh so hard. Love it. And you’re so welcome!
Yum! What a fun idea! A grownup version of a childhood fav!
Kari
Looks sooo yummy!! When is sea salt added?
Hey Mianna – great question! It goes on just as the mix comes out of the oven. I’ll add that to the recipe. Thanks for the pick up! xx
I used to eat Cracker Jacks at the movies, but I didn’t know what they were made of- I just knew they weren’t too good for my young (at the time) teeth. These do look good though! I know what you mean about “prop creep.’ I’ve got so many props now that I have a separate bedroom reserved just for my props. My favorite thing is to go to estate sales and garage sales and try to pick up vintage Tupper Ware.
Haha love it! xx
Hi! Are there any substitutes for pretzels, we don’t find them easily here India.
Thanks.
Hi Rashmi – You could definitely substitute a cracker, like Ritz crackers. Anything salty and crunchy that would stand up to the heat of the oven would work! xx
Sarah
Is golden syrup the same as Karo syrup? Not sure what you call it in the US. Would love to try this recipe. Thanks!
Amelia
Hi Amelia! I’m in Australia. Golden syrup is a British product from cane sugar, and Karo syrup is an American product from corn. In this recipe either would work fine, but I’d go with the light Karo not the dark one. Cheers! xx
GURRRRRL.
YES. This is like the tastiest sweet and salty treat! I’d become crazy addicted to it, I know!
Hey. I’d like to make this nut free and add Xmas chocolates like m n m’s. When do you suggest I add the chocolates?!!! Thanks heaps. C